Complaints For Over The Rainbow’s “Blatant Advertising”

Angry viewers have branded new BBC1 series Over The Rainbow â€śblatant advertisingâ€? for Andrew Lloyd Webberâ€™s West End musicals.

The Beeb received 17 complaints just for the trailers for the new programme in which Lloyd Webber selects a new Dorothy for his production of The Wizard Of Oz.

Scores more are expected following the debut show on Friday which attracted 7 million viewers.

The programmeâ€™s timing coincides with the West End opening of Lloyd Webberâ€™s Phantom Of The Opera sequel Love Never Dies.

Actress Jodie Prenger appeared in costume on Saturday nightâ€™s show to sing a song from Oliver! (another Lloyd Webber production) â€“ critics claim this was simply â€śsly promotionâ€?.

Kevin Spacey, the artistic director of London’s Old Vic theatre, following Lloyd Webberâ€™s last talent-finding vehicle Iâ€™d Do Anything, accused the BBC for promoting musicals at the expense of other West End shows.

Last year the Beeb was accused of providing millions of pounds worth of advertising to U2. The aging band made dozens of appearances across the corporationâ€™s TV and radio channels ahead of an album release, leading many to dub the BBC the Bono Broadcasting Corporation.